Chapter 3

Before I could speak, the instructor standing by panicked.

She came over with a smile and said, "Mr. Gu, you’ve misunderstood."

"Our etiquette class always leads with virtue."

"We treat the students here like our own children; how could we beat them?"

Nolan impatiently pushed her aside.

He lifted my clothes to check for injuries.

What he saw was my smooth skin.

Not only were there no scars, but even redness and swelling were absent.

Nolan angrily pushed me, "Adeline, you’re really getting good at acting."

I cried.

When I first came to the etiquette class, the instructor made me accompany guests.

I refused and was beaten severely.

But recently, I haven’t been beaten.

Because they use my daughter to threaten me.

If I disobey, they beat my daughter Cora.

Her heart-wrenching screams have become my nightmare.

I can only let them manipulate me, even actively pleasing them, so my daughter can have a full meal and not be mistreated.

A few times, guests gave me bad reviews.

My daughter was dragged in and beaten in front of me.

I could only shield her with my body, begging them for another chance, promising to behave...

Painful memories flooded back.

But the instructor stood by, giving me a warning look.

I didn’t dare say anything.

I could only kneel and beg Nolan, "Please, take me home."

"Even if I’m not your wife, even as a servant or slave, I accept, just take me away."

Nolan grew more disgusted with me, "Adeline, you’ve learned nothing else here but how to play the victim."

"Unfortunately, you’re doing a terrible job. I’m not an idiot; you can’t fool me."

Fiona cried, "Sister Adeline, you don’t have to do this."

"You're not just losing your face but also Nolan’s."

"I swear I won’t retaliate verbally or physically in the future; please stop sulking with Nolan."

She reached out to help me.

I recoiled in fear, shouting, "Don’t come near."

Compared to men, I fear women touching me more.

Several times, when guests were discovered by their wives, the etiquette class pushed me out, claiming I seduced the men.

The wives vented their anger on me; they pricked me with needles, burned me with lighters, stomped on me with heels...

I’ve developed a psychological shadow with them.

I’m scared, truly scared.

Now, I only have one thought.

Nolan belongs with Fiona; I don’t dare fight anymore.

At this moment, Nolan looked at me disappointedly and said, "Adeline, how did you become like this? You’re no different from the shrews among the common people making a scene. Apparently, six months is too short for you."

I was utterly shocked.

Because of fear, my brain grew numb and confused.

I only had one thought: "It’s over, another guest is unhappy with me."

"Cora, don’t hurt my Cora."

Instinctively, I took out "pills" from my pocket, not counting how many, and stuffed them in when no one was looking.

These "pills" were given to me by the instructor.

She said taking them makes one more "professional," and guests would be more satisfied.

But I must take them secretly, to make guests think they transformed me, giving them a sense of accomplishment.

The "pills" took effect quickly. I shamelessly clung to Nolan and all the guests.

Nolan shouted angrily, slapping me hard across the face.

Half of my face swelled, blood oozing from my mouth.

"Adeline, you’re a disgraceful woman!" Nolan cursed through gritted teeth.

He squeezed my neck, choking me.

He whispered fiercely in my ear, "Rot here, don’t ever expect me to take you out."

"Our daughter? Today, I’m only taking her."